The PExT experimental communications terminal completed a demonstration transmitting data over NASA's relay network and commercial networks. The extended mission will test direct communications with ground stations and software for managing space communications services.
NASA's Multilingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) has successfully completed its primary technology demonstration, an important step toward more flexible communications in space. The project met its original goals and continues to show potential, so NASA has decided not to terminate the mission to test new partnerships and try out additional capabilities.
Launched on July 23, 2025, aboard the BARD spacecraft, PExT is designed to demonstrate how broadband communications technology can help spacecraft connect across multiple networks of relay satellites. Traditionally, missions have been limited to a single communications network. PexT uses the widely used Ka-band frequency range to enable data transmission across both government and commercial systems.
NASA demonstrates multi-network space communications
The mission achieved its primary objectives in December 2025. In the demonstration, PexT successfully transmitted data to Earth via NASA's Tracking and Relay Satellite System as well as commercial communications networks operated by Viasat and SES Space and Defense.
Following this success, NASA began operating the extended mission in January 2026. These activities are expected to continue until April 2027.
Experiments in direct communication with Earth
As part of the expanded mission, NASA is conducting new demonstrations that include direct communications connections to and from Earth (round-trip) using SSC Space's global network of ground stations.
The project is scheduled to complete more than 50 direct communication sessions with Earth via SSC Space’s partner ground station in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The experiments are intended to demonstrate how future missions could route data in different ways, either via relay satellites or directly via ground stations. Such flexibility could improve coverage, increase resilience, and increase overall operational efficiency.
New software to streamline the operation of space networks
NASA is also working with Aalyria Technologies to demonstrate the operation of enterprise services using the company's Spacetime software platform.
Enterprise Service Management provides a coordinated framework for planning, managing, and delivering communications services across multiple missions. Through this demonstration, NASA aims to demonstrate how shared software systems can simplify operations, improve visibility into available services, and help ensure reliable communications support throughout the mission.
This activity builds on several years of collaboration between Aalyria and the Department of Defense Innovation Unit through the Hybrid Space Architecture Program. The goal of the program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of War, is to create a space communications environment with greater connectivity, resilience, and interoperability in which government and commercial satellite networks can operate together seamlessly.
NASA benefits from participating in this collaboration through ongoing investments that have helped advance Aalyria's Spacetime Framework. The work also builds on developments previously made in NASA's NextSTEP-2 program.
Short FAQ:
What is PExT? An experimental NASA communications terminal designed to allow spacecraft to connect to more than one communications network.
why is it important? Switching between government and commercial networks can improve coverage, reliability, and flexibility in communications with spacecraft.
What was tested in the extended mission? Direct communication with ground stations and management of communication services through software, alongside continued examination of multi-network connectivity.
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